Trump Declares Iran War Approaching Conclusion Amid Diplomatic Moves
President Donald Trump has stated that the ongoing conflict with Iran is "very close to being over", suggesting Tehran is eager to negotiate a deal to end hostilities. In a pre-taped interview with Fox Business, Trump emphasised the devastating impact of US actions, noting that if he withdrew now, it would take Iran 20 years to rebuild their country. He added, "We're not finished. We'll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly."
US Claims Maritime Superiority in Middle East
With a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz now in effect, US Central Command has announced that American forces have achieved "maritime superiority in the Middle East". According to a statement, the blockade has completely halted Iran's sea-based economic trade within 36 hours, crippling an economy where 90% relies on international maritime commerce. A US official detailed the strategy involves monitoring vessels from Iranian ports and intercepting them post-clearance from the strait.
Market Reactions to Peace Talk Prospects
Hopes for resumed peace talks have triggered significant financial shifts. Asian stocks surged to a six-week high, while oil prices extended declines, with Brent crude futures dropping 0.7% to $94.13 a barrel. This follows Trump's comments that negotiations could restart in Pakistan within days, after weekend talks in Islamabad failed. The anticipation of diplomatic engagement has calmed markets previously rattled by conflict-driven volatility.
Nuclear Concerns and International Diplomacy
Rafael Grossi, head of the UN's nuclear watchdog IAEA, highlighted that the duration of a moratorium on Iran's uranium enrichment is a "political decision". This comes as key differences persist between US and Iranian officials, with the West fearing nuclear weapon development and Tehran insisting on enrichment for energy purposes. Meanwhile, Israel and Lebanon held their first direct talks in 30 years in Washington, described by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a "historic opportunity", though no immediate breakthrough was expected.
Escalating Tensions with Pope Leo XIV
Trump has intensified his war of words with Pope Leo XIV, criticising the pontiff's stance on the Iran conflict. In a Truth Social post, Trump accused Iran of killing 42,000 protesters and denounced the possibility of Iran obtaining a nuclear bomb. He previously labelled the Pope as "weak" on crime and "terrible" on foreign policy, even sharing an AI-generated image of himself dressed as Jesus, later claiming it depicted him as a doctor. The Pope had earlier condemned Trump's rhetoric as "unacceptable" and suggested "delusion of omnipotence" fuels the war.
International Calls for Ceasefire in Lebanon
Canada, the UK, Australia, Japan, and six other nations have jointly called for an urgent end to hostilities in Lebanon, where Israeli attacks have killed over 2,000 people since March. The statement expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis and displacement, following the deaths of three UN peacekeepers. Israel's ground invasion has displaced 1.2 million Lebanese, with the deadliest day seeing 100 airstrikes in 10 minutes, killing over 350.
As Trump reiterates his stance against extending the ceasefire, the global community watches closely, with economic and diplomatic ramifications unfolding across the Middle East and beyond.
